TALLAHASSEE (Feb. 8, 2020) – In their second overtime contest this season, the Howard University men's basketball (2-23 overall, 0-10 MEAC) came up short falling 82-78 to the Florida A&M Rattlers (8-13 overall, 6-4 MEAC) in the Al Lawson Center Saturday afternoon.
Four Bison scored in double figures on the day including record-breaking career numbers in six categories from senior Nate Garvey (Nanuet, N.Y.), who lead all scorers with 20 points. Charles "CJ" Williams (Richmond, Va.) followed with 17 points, as Phillip Jones (Atlanta, Ga.) and Wayne Bristol, Jr. (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added 13 points and 11 points, respectively.
Princewill Anosike (Lagos, Nigeria) notched a team-best and season-best six rebounds and three blocked shots.
The intense matchup featured 13 times and 17 lead changes with neither team boasting more than a single-digit margin lead. With Howard leading by as many as six at the 18:31 mark of the second half, while FAMU led by seven at the 6:21 mark in the first half.
Garvey took the first strike on the night, knocking down his first of six made threes within the first 30 seconds of play.
The seesaw matchup remained in single digits through eight minutes of competition until the Rattlers' Rod Melton would sink a three to take the contest to 11-9 and pace the Florida host on a 12-5 run for a 23-16 lead.
HU's Garvey once again found success from behind the arc sinking a three with four minutes remaining to ignite a 15-7 run and secure a Bison halftime lead of 34-30.
Both teams returned to the court fighting for dominance and control once again, with another number of ties and lead changes. Each team saw key components of the roster sent to the bench as both Anoskie and Zion Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md.) fouled out in the second half.
With 15 seconds remaining and a made pair of free throws from Jones, Howard believed a win was in sight until Melton made a long ball to tie the game 71-71.
Florida A&M dominated most of the overtime play as HU went cold from long-range and forced several key turnovers to slow its momentum. Even Bristol's made three with three seconds remaining that brought the squad within one-point wasn't enough to overcome the Rattler energy.
With the 82-78 win, FAMU remains undefeated at home.
Howard shot 79 percent from the charity stripe, 36 percent from behind the arc and 51 percent from the field, while Florida A&M went 74 percent from the free-throw line, 31 percent from long range and 39 percent from the field. Despite the numbers, HU tallied 23 turnovers to FAMU's 17 and committed 28 fouls to the hosts 17.
The Bison will continue their Sunshine State travels with a Monday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. matchup against the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.
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About Howard Athletics
The Howard University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I men and women varsity sports. The programs represent six conferences: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association (CCSA), Sun Belt Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. Visit www.hubison.com to learn more.
